New Chair of Peabody announced

A former Head of the Civil Service, Sir Bob has led the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) from November 2010 and is due to step down in February 2015.

Prior to his DCLG role, Sir Bob was the first Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency, where he was responsible for promoting new and affordable housing supply; supporting the regeneration of cities, towns and neighbourhoods; improving existing housing stock, and advancing sustainability and good design.

Sir Bob (right), with Stephen Howlett, Peabody Chief Executive

Before joining the Civil Service Sir Bob received a knighthood for his services to local government, spending eight years serving the London Borough of Hounslow and then a further 11 years leading Sheffield Council.

Sir Bob replaces Christopher Strickland who was Peabody’s Chair for five years before he stepped down at the end of December 2014.

Sir Bob Kerslake said:

“It is a privilege to be joining such a distinguished organisation as Peabody and to be part of ensuring its legacy lives on as the organisation evolves. I should like to pay tribute to the work of my predecessor, Chris Strickland, who has overseen a period of significant growth for the organisation.

“I am fortunate to be joining Peabody at such an exciting time. Peabody has an ambitious programme of investment and regeneration in Thamesmead.

"And across the whole of London Peabody has a development pipeline of 8,000 new homes and aims to support 1,000 people a year to find employment.

“I look forward to helping Peabody fulfil its mission to make London a city of opportunity for all.”

Announcing the appointment, Stephen Howlett, Peabody’s Chief Executive and member of the Board, said:

“Sir Bob has a wealth of experience and a commitment to affordable homes, great design, regeneration and community investment that will benefit Peabody and London in the years to come.

”I would also like to thank our outgoing chair, Chris Strickland, for his commitment and dedication to Peabody, our residents and communities. Over the past five years as Chair, he has helped us to grow and develop, ensuring that we can provide more quality homes and services for Londoners.”

Sir Bob will take up his post in June 2015 after he retires from his current role as the Permanent Secretary for the DCLG in February 2015, followed by a break of a few months. The government requires senior Civil Servants who leave a post to take this break period before they can start a new job outside the service.

The current Vice-Chair, Malcolm Levi, will serve as Peabody’s Acting Chair until Sir Bob joins. Malcolm will use his knowledge and expertise to ensure there is continuity during this period of change and maintain momentum during 2015.